Rains force class suspensions in Isabela, trigger floods in Cagayan

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ROXAS, Isabela — Classes in both public and private schools from kindergarten to high school were suspended in two towns of Isabela on Thursday, Aug. 7, due to heavy rains caused by a low-pressure area (LPA) and the southwest monsoon (habagat).
Mayors Benedict Calderon of Roxas and Venus Bautista of Tumauini announced the class suspensions, citing the need to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
READ: LPA to bring rain to Luzon; habagat in Visayas, Mindanao
In nearby Cagayan province, floods triggered by continuous downpour since Wednesday night rendered several roads and bridges in Baggao town impassable.
As of Thursday morning, residents in the villages of Bitag Grande and Masical were stranded due to rising floodwaters, according to the Baggao Information Office.
The Ibulo Bridge in Baggao was also submerged, prompting authorities to deploy village watchmen to prevent locals from attempting to cross the flooded structure.
In Ilagan City, remote barangays like Cabiseria 23 experienced muddy and flooded roads, while low-lying cornfields were also reported to be underwater. /das